Xingu Indigenous Culture and Games Festival Brings Together Over 14 Ethnicities in Altamira
Event held until this Sunday (20), by the Government of Pará, includes sports, cultural performances, and rituals that value ancient ancestry
Chants echoing through the forest, accurate arrows, and bare feet running firmly on the land that supports a millennia-old story. Until this Sunday (20), Altamira, in western Pará, is experiencing an unprecedented gathering of traditions and sports practices with the realization of the Xingu Indigenous Culture and Games Festival. Valuing the customs, knowledge, and ancestry of traditional peoples, the event that brings together over 900 indigenous people from 14 ethnicities is an initiative of the Government of Pará, through the State Secretariat for Indigenous Peoples (Sepi), and a network of federal, municipal, and private partners.
The Festival transformed arenas, streets, and stages into spaces for competition and celebration. From July 17 to 20 (Thursday to Sunday), the population of Altamira and visitors experience the culture of the original peoples of the Amazon, with an intense program of traditional games, rituals, and shows.
The sports program includes modalities that combine physical strength, collective skill, and ancient knowledge. Among the highlights are the archery competitions, which require precision and technical mastery; spear throwing, which has great symbolic significance for the peoples, and the traditional relay race, which reflects the spirit of collectivity in the villages.
Competitions in canoeing, soccer, swimming, tug of war, target shooting, and 100-meter free running have also been held in both male and female categories. The competitions take place at the José Marino Bandeira de Matos Municipal Stadium, known as "Bandeirão," and at the games arena on the waterfront of the pier.
Diverse Culture - The cultural performances moved the audience with the diversity and beauty of songs, dances, graphics, and rituals. "It is very significant to be here today participating in the first event, in Altamira, of the Indigenous Games. Our community lives far away from here, but we fought to be present, representing our people. This has great value for us," says Gustavo Caetano Kuruaya, indigenous leader of the Kuruaya People.
On the main stage, the evening program featured artists such as Liah Soares, Sam Bruno, Aya da Amazônia, Grah Podanosk, DJ Bonfim, Joelma Kláudia, and DJ Bob, with messages of cultural appreciation, ancestry, and indigenous identity.
Ethnicities of the Middle Xingu - With the greatest ethnic diversity in Pará, the Middle Xingu is represented by nine ethnicities originating from the region: Arara, Xipaya, Kuruaya, Asurini, Xikrin do Trincheira Bacajá, Kayapó do Kararaô, Parakanã, Araweté, and Juruna.
As invited peoples, indigenous Gavião Kyikatejê, Krimei Xikrin (from the Cateté River), and Kayapó Mebêngôkre (from the Kayapó Indigenous Land), who inhabit other regions of the State, are participating. Each delegation consists of over 60 members, including athletes, children, and elders, who share their sports and cultural practices.
Protagonism - Since the official opening on Thursday (17), with the presence of Governor Helder Barbalho, the Festival has been marked by speeches of unity, recognition, and respect for the culture of the original peoples. Alongside the governor were the Minister of Cities, Jader Filho, and the Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, both from Pará.
"The Indigenous Games are not just about sports. It is culture, it is the preservation of memory, it is ancestry. Altamira is a city that has indigenous ethnicities with their rights preserved, while being strong in agriculture and livestock. Here, it unites those who produce and those who preserve. It is a time to celebrate those who produce and generate food; to celebrate the guardians of the forests, who are the indigenous peoples," emphasized the governor at the opening of the event.
The Secretary of Indigenous Peoples of Pará, Puyr Tembé, reinforced Sepi's commitment to building and strengthening spaces for indigenous peoples, as well as to the development and implementation of public policies that value the active participation of communities.
"Here, in Altamira, something extraordinary is happening. Our expectation is that this does not happen only this year, but that Altamira, this powerful municipality, so full of diversity, serves as a model for other municipalities. And, of course, we can also think about building the State Indigenous Games. Today, we are talking about the Altamira Games, but we want to advance to the state games. It is no longer possible to discuss any agenda, whether education, health, or sports, without involving indigenous peoples. We are here today to look, know, and recognize this diversity, this strength, and this power that comes directly from the rivers, the territories, this region. Call, and the indigenous peoples will come, and Altamira is here present," stated the secretary.
Partnerships - The Xingu Indigenous Culture and Games Festival is an initiative of the Government of Pará, through the Cultural Foundation of Pará (FCP)/State Program for Cultural Incentive (Semear); State Secretariat of Tourism (Setur) and State Secretariat for Indigenous Peoples. The event also has the support of the Federal Government, through the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples (Funai)/Special Indigenous Health District (DSEI) of Altamira; the City Hall of Altamira, via municipal secretariats, and private companies.
